Democrats Get Competitive Candidate for Oklahoma House Seat

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Wallace announced he’ll run for Oklahoma’s open 2nd district seat, giving Democrats their first competitive candidate since Rep. Dan Boren (D) announced he would not seek re-election.

“I think we could use a few more tough-minded prosecutors in Congress,” Wallace said Tuesday in a campaign statement.

After Boren announced in June he wouldn’t seek another term, several well-known local Democrats eschewed running for this competitive seat. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won the district with 66 percent in 2008, even though Boren has easily been re-elected since 2004.

Several Republicans have already jumped into the race for Boren’s seat, including state Rep. George Faught, plumbing company owner Markwayne Mullin, former state Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, retired Marine Lt. Col. Dakota Wood and attorney Dustin Rowe.

Democrat and seed company owner Wayne Herriman also announced he’s seeking Boren’s seat. But Wallace is widely viewed as the party’s frontrunner.

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March 13, 2015

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., right, hugs Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, after the Congressman spoke at the IAFF's Legislative Conference General Session at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, March 9, 2015. The day featured addresses by members of Congress and Vice President Joe Biden.